Steam-engine valve.



No. 678,984. Patented luly 23, I90I. E. L. SAUER.

STEAM ENGINE VALVE.

(Application Bled Oct. 2B, 1900.)

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No. 678,984. Patented July' 23, |901.

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STEAM ENGINE VALVE.

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Patented July 23, 190|.

E, L. sAuEn. STEAM ENGINE VALVE.

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@MM My j NITE STATES PATENT EMIL L. SAUER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM-ENGINE VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent NO. 678,984, dated. July 23, 1901.

Application filed October 25, 1900. Serial No. 34,258. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL L. SAUER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Engine Valves; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to steam engine valves of the piston type and is more especially intended for use on locomotive-engines running at high speed.

The object is to provide a device of this character having an unusually quick admittance of the live steam and an equally quick release at the proper time, so as to afford the greatest possible efficiency with proportionate economical results. This eiciency is attained by having the steam-pressure follow the engine-piston expansively for a greater length of the cylinder than is possible under ordinary arrangements and then providing for a quick release that will relieve the piston from any undue back pressure or connpression on the exhaust side. The valve parts, located in the steam-chest, comprise a main piston-valve and companion auxiliary valve loosely supporting the piston-valve in its working position. The piston-valve controls the admission and escape of the steam into and from the engine-cylinder, but has no direct connection with a driving or moving part of the engine. The auxiliary valves have adirect connection with the usual valverod, in turn connecting with an actuating rocker-arm or eccentric. For a part of its stroke in its longitudinal reciprocating movement the piston-valve travels in unison with its auxiliary supports and then has a quick intermittent steam-actuated movement in advance thereof in suddenly opening the induction and eduction ports alternately at each end of the stroke. This valve device may be termed double-acting and is as equally well adapted for use on engines other than those of the locomotive type whether running at a high or low speed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the valve parts and inclosing steam-chest. Figs. 2 and 3 are half longitudinal sections with reference to Fig. 1, showing the valve parts in different positions. Fig. 4 is a broken-away longitudinal section on line 4:, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the main piston-valve, the valverod being sectioned on line 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a broken-away bottom plan of the piston packing-ring anda doWel-segment connecting the respective ends thereof; and Fig. 7is a broken-away section on line 7, Fig. 6.

A represents the steam-chest; B, the supply steam-chamber; C C, the usual steam-passages, communicating with the respective ends of the engine-cylinder, and D D the exhaust-chambers, located in the ends of the steam-chest.

The steam-chest is provided interiorly with the cylindrical casing-sections E E, the inner adjacent ends a of which are Wide apart to allow for the admission of the live-steam supply. The respective ends of the valve parts have their reciprocating movement in the casing-sections. These sections are provided in the under side with ports S, in line With the steam-passages C C, through which the steam enters and escapes from the engine-cylinder in` accordance with the direction in which the piston is moving and the position of the piston-valve.

9 indicates the annularly-disposed exhaustports in the casing E opening into exhaustchambers D D.

The main double piston-valve is spoolshaped and consists ofthe companion piston heads or ends 10 and the integral connecting tubular stem 1l, which is of a greatly-reduced diameterwith reference to the pistonheads,so as to provide for the required steam-space. The piston-heads 10 are provided exteriorly vwith an annular recess 12 for the reception of the companion packing or bull rings 13. That portion of the packing-rings that would come directly over the steam-ports 8 is cut out, forming open rings, the space between the adjacent ends being Iilled by the insertion of thickened dowel-segments 14, dovctailed into place, as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. These segments extend into the stock of the piston-heads and prevent the possibility of the packing-rings turning and insure a tional contact therewith and form a steam-v tightjoint and a supporting-guide forthe piston-valve at each end and prevent the steam from escaping outinto the exhaust-chambers.

solid stem 2O is inserted through the loni gitudinal center of the piston-valve and pro-4 jects from each end thereof. Thisstem and the pistonvalve stem 11 are loose with lreference to Veach other and are separated by an y annular space 21. The auxiliary valves are rigidly mounted on the stem 20, near each end thereof. The inner side of valve 16 comes vto a stop against a shoulder 22, formed onthe stem 20. Asleeve 23 is slipped on over the inner yprojecting end of this stern and bears against valve 1G inside of the neck extension. A locking-key 24 is inserted through the sleeve and stem and rigidly secures valve 16 in place and prevents the same from having an independent movement from that of the stem .upon The companion auxilwhich it is mounted. iary valve l17, mounted on the opposite or outer end ofthe stem 20, abuts against the shoulder- The valve-rod 26 is provided withthe socket end 27, which slips on over the 1 outer end of stem 2O and bears against thek A locking-key 2S isinserted through the rod-socket and stem 201 and secures these parts together in their f The outer end ofy the valve-rod 26 will have the usual operative bearing 25- outer side of valve 17.

proper working relation.

connection with an eccentric or rockerarm of the engine.

' for the engagement of locking-key 28, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4. This prevents the main piston-valve from turning in either direction.

The auxiliary valves form a carrying-support for the piston-valve and serve to always retain the saine in its proper working position and limit its reciprocating longitudinal movement.

The companion doWel-segments 14 are each provided in the under side with a cavity 29,

from the bottom of Which a live-steam pasi sage 30 extends upwardly through the wall of the piston-valve and opens into the annular space 31, between the auxiliary valves andi theadjacent cap-surfaces of the piston-valve.

A number of apertures 32 open through the respective heads of the piston-valve from the steam sidey into the companion chambers 33, walled by the bottom 34 of the chamber The piston-cap at the back end is provided with (see Figs. 4 and 5) oppositelyi located lugs b b, which are slotted in the ends formed in the bored-out ends of the pistonvalve and the adjacentsides of the auxiliary valves.

From the chambers 33, Fig. 1, angular oriiices d in the auxilary valves open into cushioning-chambers 35,formed between the graduated shoulders 36 of the piston-valve and the corresponding shoulders 37 on the auxiliary valves. The annular chambers 33 and 35, duplicated on the respective ends of the valve parts, alternately open and close when in operation, as will be described farther along.

The steam-cavities 29, formed in the under side of the companion dowel-segments 14,will retain a greater or less volume of steam, which to a certainextentwill cushion themovement `of the piston-valve and .lessen the greater frietion on .the under side due -to the weight,

and thereby equally balance thevalve parts.

Trhe space between the solid and hollow valve-stems will always contain a certain volume of steamer the product `thereof-and assist in the balancing feature. It will be understood bythisarrangement that the piston-valve which controls the induction and eduction ports is .carried along for a part of each stroke bythe mechanical movement of the auxiliary valve, and when a certain point is reached before the end of the stroke steam enters between the outer sides of -the auxiliary valves and the adjacent cap-surfaces of the piston-valve and automatically-forces the latter in advance of the auxiliary valves and has the effect of quickly uncovering the steam and exhaust ports.

The chambers 85 Willalways receive sufficient steam to cushion the independent reciprocating movement of the piston-valve with reference to the auxiliary valves and prevent jarring or hammering. l

The operation is as follows: In Fig. 1 the engine-piston 38 (the cylinder not shown) is supposed to be traveling in the direction in- A diated by the arrow, the piston-valve parts moving in the same direction. It will be noted that the steam-space 31, lbetween the outer side of the auxiliary valve 16 and the cap of the piston-valve, is closed, while the companion steam-space at the opposite end is open. The steam-chamber 33 and the cushion-chamber 35 in the forward end are also open, as shown on the right in Fig. 1. In the opposite back end these chambers are shown closed, the inner side of auxiliary valve 17' bearing or bottoming against the adjacent surface of the pistonvalve, in which position the valve parts all move along together at the same speed. This relative position of the valve parts is maintained on the forward end of the stroke until the wall-line 39 of the packing-rin g gradually begins to uncover the steam-port, when steam will fill the cavity in the dowel-segment and rush up through passage 30 into space 31 and by the excess of pressure will suddenly force the piston-valve ahead at a much greater speed than that at which the auxiliary valves IOO IIO

are traveling and instantly open the steamport leading into the engine-cylinder at the forward end to give the full pressure at once in advance of what could be obtained if the main valve were alone actuated by a moving part of the engine. Vhen the main valve is given this advance movement just described, a corresponding change of the relative position of the main valve and the auxiliary valve 17 takes place at the same time at the opposite end, and the exhaust-port is also suddenly thrown open and the annular chambers 33 and 35 opened and closing the companion chambers in the opposite end. The pistonvalve holds the advanced position at this end until nearing the back end of the stroke,when the same operation takes place and the piston-valve receives the advance impulse in the opposite direction,and so on continuously.

The valve-parts are shown in different positions in Figs. 2 and 3 with reference to an approximate relative position of the enginepiston, which will be readily understood in lconnection with the described operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with a supporting-carrier, of a piston- Valve, loosely mounted on said carrier and adapted to periodically have an automatic movement in advance thereof, alternately at each end of the stroke, substantially as described.

2. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with the companion auxiliary valves, forming a supporting-carrier, of a pistonvalve, loosely mounted thereon and having periodically an independent automatic movement in advance of said auxiliary Valves alternately at each end of the traveled stroke, substantially as described.

3. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with the companion auxiliary valves, rigidly connected by a stem, of a pistonvalve, loosely mounted on said auxiliary valves and having a steam-actuated movement in advance thereof, alternately, a't each end of the stroke, substantially as described.

4. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with the companion auxiliary valves, of a piston-valve, loosely mounted thereon, means for periodically imparting an independent movement to said piston-valve in advance of the auxiliary valves, and the operative connection with a moving part of the engine, substantially as described.

5. Ina steam-engine valve, a double pistonvalve, having chambered heads joined by an integral tubular stem and loosely retained in its working position, the companion auxiliary valves, seated in said chambered heads; the solid stem, inserted longitudinally through the piston-valve and having the auxiliary valves rigidly mounted thereon, the operative connection, and means for periodically imparting a movement to the piston-valve in advance of the auxiliary valves, substantially as described.

6. A steam engine valve, comprising a double piston-valve loosely retained in place; the companion piston-heads being connected by an integral tubular stem, the companion auxiliary valves, seated in said pistons and rigidly mounted on a solid stem inserted longitudinally through said piston-valve and projecting from each end thereof, the operative driving connection, and means for imparting a movement to said piston-valve in advance of its carrying-support, alternately at each end of the stroke, substantially as described.

7. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with a steam-chest, of a cylindrical casing, inclosed therein and divided into two sections transversely, the inner separated ends opening into the live-steam space, the double piston-valve, loosely inserted in said casing and having its respective piston-heads chambered, a solid stem, extending longitudinally through said piston-valve, the auxiliary valves, rigidly mounted on said stein and seated in the chambered piston-heads, the operative connection, with a moving part of the engine and means for imparting a movement to the piston-valve in advance of the auxiliary valves at each end of the stroke, substantially as described.

8. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with a steam-chest, of a cylindrical casing, rigidly secured in said steam--chest and divided transversely into two equal sections opening into the live-steam chamber, a double piston-valve, inserted in said casing and having its respective ends chambered and provided therein With annularl shoulders, the companion auxiliary valves seated in the chambered piston-heads, cushioning -chambers, formed between said annular shoulders and the adjacent surfaces of the auxiliary valves and having an alternate opening and closing action in accordance With the direction in which the valve parts are moving, and steam passages, communicating with the cushioning-chambers, substantially as described.

9. In a steam-engine valve, the combination with a piston-Valve, loosely retained in its working position and having chambers formed in its respective heads, of the companion auxiliary valves, seated in said chambered heads, the packing-rings, having a cavity formed in the under side thereof, a steam-passage, leading upwardly therefrom and opening into an annular space between the outer sides of the auxiliary valves and the closed ends of the piston-valve, whereby an independent advance movement is imparted to the piston-valve ahead of the auxiliary valves, alternately at each end, substantially as described.

l0. In a steam-engine valve, the combina- IOO IIO

tion with n double piston-valve, having charnf bered heads connected by :L tubular stem, :t solid stem, extending loosely through the longitudinal center thereof, the companion auxiliary Valves, sented in the ehmnbered pistonheads and mounted on the respective ends of said solid stern, means for locking said auxiliary valves rigidly in place, and the removable cap ends closing the piston-heads, substantially es described.

l1. In a, steam-engine valve, the combinetion with adouble piston-valve, of the pack- .ing or bull rings, having a portion cut out on the under side, the doWei-segrnents, inserted in place of said cut-out portion, the steamcavities, formed in said dowelsegments, `end the steam-passages lending upwardly there- 

